Farm Rich products recalled over E. coli fears

Worries over possible E. coli bacteria contamination has prompted a maker of frozen snack foods to recall some of its products from stores nationwide, including from some local supermarkets.

Rich Products Corporation of Buffalo, N.Y., maker of the Farm Rich line of frozen snack foods, has informed federal food regulators that it has recalled its Farm Rich Mini Quesadillas, Farm Rich Mini Pizza Slices, Farm Rich Philly Cheese Steaks and its Farm Rich Mozzarella Bites, which had been produced between Nov. 12-Nov. 19, 2012.

Rich Products has also recalled its Markey Day Mozzarella Bites produced during those dates as well.

According to the Farm Rich brand website, some supermarkets in the Tri-Cities, including Walmart, Jewel-Osco and Meijer, sell some of those Farm Rich-branded products subject to the recall.

All of the products are snack items intended to be baked or cooked in a microwave oven by consumers at home.

The recall was announced Saturday by the Kane County Health Department.

A release from the county department notes that, to date, there have been no reports of illness associated with the recall. Symptoms of E. coli bacterial infection could include mild to severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Blood is often seen in the stool, the health department said.

The release notes that Rich Products has cooperated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service, as well as the Food and Drug Administration, to investigate the possible contamination.

Rich Products has notified its distributors and retailers and directed them to remove and destroy the suspect products.

The Kane County Health Department has directed those with questions on the recall to contact Farm Rich Consumer Relations at 888-220-5955 or to visit the company's website, farmrich.com.